Buying a used car, truck, minivan, or SUV is exciting but deciding which one is right for you can sometimes feel overwhelming. While some people are brand loyal to specific makes or already know what they’re searching for specifically, there are those that aren’t sure just where to begin. Not all vehicles are equal and choosing the one that’s right for you depends greatly on a few specific factors. Today, we’re breaking down those factors to help show you what you need to consider in order to choose the right used vehicle for you.

Budget

Budget… it’s the word no one likes to think about but that most of us need to focus on first when purchasing a used vehicle. How much can I afford to spend and how much I’m willing to? While buying a vehicle tends to involve a rather hefty price, the simple fact remains that they depreciate very quickly over time. Experts estimate that new cars lose up to 19% of its value in its first year of ownership!! Yikes! While some may prefer to buy a brand new car, it’s easy to say why so many prefer purchasing a quality, used car, truck, van or SUV instead.

When considering how much you can afford, decide if you are planning on paying cash for it or if you’ll be financing the purchase. If you are planning on paying cash, how much money is available to you? And if you’re financing, you’ll need to look not only at what you’re approved for but also at the bottom line. Remember that taxes and other fees, such as registration and license plate, will add to that grand total. Beware of overstretching yourself in your purchase as owning a vehicle comes with its own cost of maintaining it and keeping it insured.

Functionality

It’s important to understand the purpose of your vehicle before you can accurately assess if you’ve found the right one. This is where the why, who, where and how come into play.

Do you need 4WD or All Wheel Drive?

All wheel drive and 4×4 vehicles tend to cost more than their front wheel drive counterparts so if 4 wheel drive isn’t that important to you, it might be something to pass over.

How many people do you need to transport regularly?

Most cars are capable of transporting 5 people, although the middle back seat is typically very uncomfortable for long distances. If you’ll be driving more than 5, you will need to consider moving up to a midsize SUV, fullsize SUV or Minivan which have 3rd Row seating available. Midsize SUVs have a smaller 3rd Row seat, making them impractical for most adults. While full size SUVs and Minivans have comfortable seating for 7 and sometimes 8 passengers.

Will you need to tow things?

A big truck looks great but do you really need all that available horsepower? For people who work in the construction industry or those who make deliveries regularly, towing is often less an option than an absolute necessity. As it is for people who own a trailer, boat or other item needed to be towed somewhere.

How important is Fuel Efficiency?

If you’re doing a lot of driving for work or you’re busy running kids all over town for their extracurricular activities, you’ve probably thought about not only the miles you’re driving but the gas it takes to do it all. Decide if fuel efficiency is a big deal for you and your driving lifestyle. Sometimes, you can’t avoid having a larger, less fuel efficient vehicle but even in those situations, there are typically similar vehicles that have a better average.

Options

Today’s vehicles come with a lot of options available but all those extra gadgets and whatnot’s can cost you more money. If you need to stay within a certain budget, it’s important to decide which ones are most important to you and which options are simply extra perks. If you spend a lot of time driving to new locations for meetings or clients, navigation is probably higher on your list than someone who works at the same building every day and rarely travels. Whereas people living in a colder climate like Western Michigan might rank heated seats as a near necessity, chances are people living in the south do not. Before deciding how essential each option is, consider how often you’ll actually be using it. Is it an absolute requirement you need or just fluff that marks up the price without any real value added to your life?

Safety Ratings

Regardless if your vehicle will be used predominantly as a family vehicle or not, safety ratings should definitely play a role in deciding between similar vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was established in 1970 as an independent government agency which issues safety ratings based on crash protection and rollover prevention. Vehicles are given a rating of poor to excellent according to their performance during crash tests and in comparison to similar vehicles.

These ratings are a wonderful starting point but it’s also vital to consider your own personal driving conditions when looking at all safety factors. West Michigan winters can quickly leave roads covered in a thick blanket of snow for many months out of the year, making All Wheel Drive, 4 Wheel Drive or at the very least, Front Wheel Drive vehicles often a safer bet than a Rear Wheel Vehicle.

Finding the right car, truck, SUV or minivan can be challenging but it doesn’t have to be. At Broadmoor Motors, we specialize in finding the right used car, minivan, truck, or SUV to fit your personal or business needs, all while giving you the best deal we can on both your purchase and trade in. Our family has been in the car business for over 60 years and continues to be family owned and operated in both our Caledonia and Hastings locations with financing available to those who qualify, we will find you the right vehicle to fit both your budget and your needs.

Let Broadmoor Motors save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car or Work Truck and on your next Car Rental. Whether you need a short term car rental, long term car rental, a replacement while your vehicle is getting serviced or simply need to replace your car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors is here for all your Car Rental, Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the greater Grand Rapids and Barry County area. Give us a call at 616.698.9595 in Caledonia or 269.320.6304 in Hastings to see how we can get you back on the road!

https://broadmoormotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BMG-LOGO-Blue-on-Clear-340x98-1-300x86.jpg00Chris Bartnickhttps://broadmoormotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BMG-LOGO-Blue-on-Clear-340x98-1-300x86.jpgChris Bartnick2016-08-31 21:41:352017-06-14 11:39:27How To Choose The Right Used Vehicle

We’ve all been there before… in need of a great used car, truck, minivan or SUV but not sure how to go about finding the best one. Dedicing what size or class of vehicle works for your needs and then doing research online for the most reliable vehicles in that catagory is a perfect way to get started. Locating a local, trusted dealership with those vehicles in their current inventory at a price you can afford is another. But what happens after you get to the dealership?

Experts estimate that most problems car buyers experience shortly after buying a used vehicle could have been avoided with a more thorough test drive. But a recent study suggests that up to 20% of car buyers are foregoing a test drive altogether and another third only spend 10 minutes taking it for a spin before deciding it’s the right vehicle for them! When you consider that a truck, van, SUV or car is one of the priciest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime, spending a little bit of that time to get to know your prospective new car is well worth it. And while realizing the importance of a proper test drive is necessary, knowing what to do during it is even more critical.

Comfortability

It may seem like a no-brainer but the vehicle you’re considering buying should be comfortable to sit and drive in, both to you and to your passengers. Make sure you sit in every seat of the vehicle to see how it feels and if possible, bring the whole family.

Questions to ask:

Are the seats too soft or too hard for a pleasant ride, either short term or long term?

Do your legs rest comfortably against it or does it start to dig in?

When driving, does your foot lay at a enjoyable angle or is it awkward?

Is the seatbelt in a comfortable position or does it dig in (neck, waist, hips, etc.)?

How does the vehicle drive?

Does its suspension cushion you over bumps or can you feel every ripple in the road?

Can you reach the dashboard or steering wheel mounted controls easily?

Is it easy to get in/out of (you, kids, spouse)?

Do doors open and close easily?

Is there adequate head and leg room for everyone who will frequently be in the vehicle?

Can the headrests be adjusted to a comfortable and safe position?

Are you familiar with the navigation system or smarthub of the car? Or feel confidant with being able to learn it?

Be sure to have all potential drivers of the vehicle, including spouse & children, answer these same questions. After all, comfort is a matter of preference and while you may be satisfied with the vehicle’s design, if it’s meant to be a family vehicle, their opinion should be a factor too.

Visibility

Often overlooked are the many areas of visibility when test driving a vehicle. It’s important to consider all factors such as seating position, mirror effectiveness, headlight strength and body design.

Questions to ask:

Can the gauges be read easily once the steering wheel is raised to a comfortable height?

Are there large blindspots when changing lanes?

How clearly can you see to reverse?

If there’s a backup camera in your vehicle, is it easy to see and in a convenient place?

Does the driver seat raise or lower enough to have a clear line of vision over the hood of the vehicle?

Does the vehicle sit too low for shorter passengers to see clearly out the windows?

Are the windows large enough to see clearly out of?

A clear line of sight when operating a vehicle is one of the most important elements in a vehicle’s safety. Don’t rush or overlook ensuring that the prospective vehicle doesn’t impede in that process. If possible, we recommend bringing along another person to help you check all angles of the vehicle during your test drive.

Functionality

This is typically where people aim their focus during a test drive but they often overlook some critical points. Fucntionality can be interpreted as what it’s main use is for, as well as where and by whom. Just consider someone we know who test drove a car and considered it thoughtfully, only to realize after purchasing it that his children’s car seats could not be properly installed into the back once his driver’s seat was reclined to a comfortable position. Now that’s not functional!! Before you tell yourself there’s no way you could ever overlook something as significant as that, we suggest you read what we mean by functionality.

Questions to ask:

What is the primary purpose of this vehicle (work truck, family van, etc.)?

Who will be riding in it?

What is the terrain like where it will be driven most?

Does it handle well?

What’s the most important factor… examples include fuel efficiency, ability to haul loads or people?

Is there enough storage room, cup holders, cubby space?

What is the towing capacity (if it’s a truck or SUV)?

Is it easy to park?

Will it fit in my garage?

Does it shift smoothly?

That may feel like a lot of questions to consider but when you factor in the cost of a vehicle and the critical role it often plays in your life, it’s important to take the time to feel good about the answer to all of them. At Broadmoor Motors, we want to help you find the right car for your needs, your lifestyle and your budget. We specialize in finding the right used minivan, truck, SUV or car to fit your personal or business needs, all while giving you the best deal we can on both your purchase and trade in. Our family has been in the car business for over 60 years and continues to be family owned and operated in both our Hastings and Caledonia locations with financing available to those who qualify, and we will find you the right vehicle to fit both your budget and your needs.

Let Broadmoor Motors Hastings save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car or Work Truck and on your next Car Rental. Whether you need a short term car rental, long term car rental, a replacement while your vehicle is getting serviced or simply need to replace your car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors Hastings is here for all your Car Rental, Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the greater Barry County area, Hastings, Middleville and Caledonia. Give us a call at 269.320.6304 in Hastings or 616.698.9595 in Caledonia to see how we can get you back on the road!

Get yourself into a 4WD SUV for under $10,000 at Broadmoor Motors Hastings!! This week’s Featured Sales Vehicle is a 2002 Ford Excursion Limited SUV. With a 6.8L V10 Engine and Seating for 8, you’ll have no trouble getting the whole family, all their gear and whatever you’d like to tow to wherever you want to go! But that’s not all… this SUV comes equipped with Leather Seats, Keyless Entry, Adjustable Foot Pedals, Deep Tinted Glass, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Adjustable Exterior Mirrors, and Tow Preperation Package!!

Fully Serviced, Detailed and ready for its new owner, this 2002 Ford Excursion Limited 6.8L V10 4WD SUV will not last long so give us a call at 269.320.6304 to schedule your Test Drive in Hastings today!! To view Full Listing Details on this Sport Utility Vehicle, click HERE. Or to view our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at our Hastings Location ONLY, visit HERE. To see our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at both our Broadmoor Motors locations in Caledonia and Hastings, please click HERE.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Local in Hastings, Family Owned & Operated with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable. Broadmoor Motors Hastings is your locally owned & operated source for Car Rental and Car Sales in the greater Grand Rapids and Barry County area. With two locations to serve you in Caledonia and Hastings, we’re here for all your Rental, Sales & Service needs.

Looking to get into an affordable SUV with 4 Wheel Drive?! Then look no further! This week’s Featured Sales Vehice is a One Owner 2013 Ford Escape SE 4WD SUV comes with a direct-injection 1.6L I4 Engine. This state-of-the-art, turbocharged Escape is the most fuel efficient SUV in its class on the road, getting an incredible 33MPG HWY!! Equipped with Keyless Entry, Sirius Radio, Deep Tinted Glass, Rear Folding Seat, Steering Wheel Mounted Controls, Power Windows, Power Locks and Power Adjustable Mirros are just a start to the options available on this Edge. Accident FREE with only 31,000 Miles on it… this nearly new Ford Escape comes with a lot of life in it and a WARRANTY!!

Fully Serviced, Detailed and ready for its new owner, this 2013 Ford Escape SE 4WD SUV will not last long so give us a call at 269.320.6304 to schedule your Test Drive in Hastings today!! To view Full Listing Details on this Escape, click HERE. Or to view our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at our Hastings Location ONLY, visit HERE. To see our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at both our Broadmoor Motors locations in Caledonia and Hastings, please click HERE.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Local in Hastings, Family Owned & Operated with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable. Broadmoor Motors Hastings is your locally owned & operated source for Car Rental and Car Sales in the greater Grand Rapids and Barry County area. With two locations to serve you in Caledonia and Hastings, we’re here for all your Rental, Sales & Service needs.

Sometimes you aren’t interested in spending a lot for a vehicle, either because it’s a second family vehicle, one meant for commuting or even a winter beater. We recognized a need for our customers to find a car, truck or van that fits within a limited budget and so we’ve created our B Lot (or Budget lot). These vehicles, unlike most of our inventory, come As Is. Featured today is one of our budget friendly specials… a 2006 Ford Fusion!

This 2006 Ford Fusion comes equipped with a Moon Roof, Power Windows, Power Locks, Power Mirrors and awesome gas mileage with an impressive 29 MPG HWY. Both Exterior & Interior are in excellent condition, as well as the Tires. Priced at $4,999, this Ford Fusion is a great value for someone looking to get a car under $5,000!!

Budget friendly and ready to roll, this Fuel Efficient 2006 Ford Fusion will not last long so give us a call at 269.320.6304 to schedule your Test Drive in Hastings today!! To view Full Listing Details on this Ford Fusion, click HERE. Or to view our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at our Hastings Location ONLY, visit HERE. To see our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at both our Broadmoor Motors locations in Caledonia and Hastings, please click HERE.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Local in Hastings, Family Owned & Operated with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable. Broadmoor Motors Hastings is your locally owned & operated source for Car Rental and Car Sales in the greater Barry County and Grand Rapids area. With two locations to serve you in Hastings and Caledonia, we’re here for all your Rental, Sales & Service needs.

Looking for a great, reliable truck for a personal vehicle or a work truck? We’ve got the 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle for you!! This One Owner, 2010 Ford F-150 XLT comes Accident Free with a clean Carfax and equipped with a ton of options including Keyless Entry, Power Adjustable Mirror, Chrome Rims, Tonneau Cover, Running Boards, Automatic Headlights, and Trailer Hitch. A 6.5ft bed, Supercrew Cab, 4.6L V8 engine make sure you can get the job done but with enough room to seat the whole family!

Fully Serviced, Detailed and ready for its new owner, this 2010 Ford F-150 XLT Supercrew 6.5Ft Bed Crew Cab 4WD Pickup will not last long so give us a call at 269.320.6304 to schedule your Test Drive in Hastings today!! To view Full Listing Details on this 4×4 Pickup Truck, click HERE. Or to view our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at our Hastings Location ONLY, visit HERE. To see our Entire Inventory of Quality, Pre-Owned Vehicles at both our Broadmoor Motors locations in Caledonia and Hastings, please click HERE.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Local in Hastings, Family Owned & Operated with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable. Broadmoor Motors Hastings is your locally owned & operated source for Car Rental and Car Sales in the greater Grand Rapids and Barry County area. With two locations to serve you in Caledonia and Hastings, we’re here for all your Rental, Sales & Service needs.